Philosophy 3: Critical Thinking
Apology Exercise: Take some time to consider each of the following questions. Record your responses
and ideas and bring them to class for our discussion.
1. Identify at least two examples of barriers to critical thinking (egocentrism, sociocentrism,
unwarranted assumptions, etc.) in Socrates identifies in his description of the “older charges” or
rumors?
2. Consider the two columns on p. 25-26 in your text describing characteristics of Critical and
Uncritical Thinkers. Which of the traits or virtues attributed to Critical Thinkers does Socrates’
account of Wisdom best represent?
3. In your view, what is the significance of the following passage?
“When I heard the answer, I said to myself, what can the god mean? And what is the
interpretation of this riddle? For I know that I have no wisdom, small or great. What can he
mean when he says that I am the wisest of men? And yet he is a god and cannot lie; that would
be against his nature. After a long consideration, I at last thought of a method of trying the
question. I reflected that if I could only find a man wiser than myself, then I might go to the god
with a refutation in my hand. I should say to him, "Here is a man who is wiser than I am; but you
said that I was the wisest."
4. Which barrier(s) to critical thinking best characterize(s) the politicians that Socrates questions?
What about the poets? The Artisans?
5. What do you think of Socrates’ argument that he is not a corruptor of the youth?
6. Can you identify the logical inconsistency in Meletus’ charge that Socrates is an atheist?
7. What is the meaning of Socrates’ gadfly analogy? Can you identify any “gadflies” in our society?
What does Socrates’ account mean for concepts like “democracy” or “academic freedom?”
8. Are you persuaded by Socrates’ arguments that one should not fear death? Why or why not?